Our First Private Group Trip: Utila, January 2026

Every trip we run is special in its own way, but this one felt extra-special because it was our first-ever private group trip! — organized by returning customers who loved Utila so much they wanted to share it with their friends. People flew in from New York, California, and Washington D.C. to make this happen. It was one for the books!

A Group for Every Level

One of the things Josh and I love most about what we do is working with divers at different points in their journey, and this group gave us the full spectrum. Three divers were brand new to the sport, and by the end of the week all three had earned their Open Water certifications. Another member of the group completed her Advanced Open Water training, and others completed their Nitrox certifications. The rest were experienced divers who were there to log some fun dives and enjoy a Caribbean vacation with their friends. It was an awesome mix of learning and fun.

What We Saw Down Below

Utila rarely disappoints underwater and January was no exception. During the daytime dives we encountered spotted eels, baby stingray, flounder, pipefish, nudibranchs, and banded coral shrimp aplenty! The tropical fish were also out in full force, and the coral reefs were beautiful. 

The highlight of the week though was our night dive. The group found several octopuses out hunting in the dark — always an exciting find! And then there was the famous "string of pearls," a rare, bioluminescent phenomenon best seen during night dives in the Bay Islands. It appears as vertical, glowing strings of blue or white dots, created by tiny ostracod crustaceans during their mating ritual, shortly after sunset. If you've never seen it, it's a SCUBA diver’s bucket list item for sure! 

Dinner at The Point Pool Bar & Grill

Eating, Drinking, and Goofing Off

A great dive trip isn't just about what happens underwater, and this group made sure the topside memories were just as good.

We kicked off the week at Mango Tango on our first night — this was where everyone got to settle in, connect with each other, and talk through plans for the week ahead. 

Midweek, we had a Thai dinner at The Pelican that turned into a long, slow, tropical-evening meal. Great food, great drinks, and the kind of conversation that happens when a group has had a few days together and started to really gel.

RJ's BBQ — right across from our home base at Alton's Dive Center — is a must on any Utila trip. The barbecue is excellent, but what truly sets it apart are the homemade cakes. Every time, they're different, and every time, they disappear fast! We may have ordered more than was strictly necessary.

We also spent an evening at The Point Pool Bar and Grill, a lively, local spot where island community members, dive instructors, tourists, and everyone in between end up in the same place. The energy is always great!

While we were at Alton's, we also got to witness one of Utila's most beloved diving traditions: the Divemaster graduation ceremony, known as the "snorkel test!" Four of Alton's divemasters graduated during our week there, and this hilarious experience reminded our group that Utila isn't just a dive destination, it's a community with its own culture, rituals, and milestones. We felt lucky to be part of it.

Finally there was Wednesday night karaoke at Underwater Vision, the dive center next door to Alton's. Utila is known for two things: world-class diving and a vibrant nightlife driven by the international dive community that lives and works there. Karaoke night brings all of that together in the best possible way. Divers from all over the world, singing their hearts out, laughing at each other, celebrating the week!

What We're Taking Away

By the end of the week, the group had already started talking about coming back. A few of them are now signed up for our June trip, and honestly that says everything. When people go home and immediately start planning the next one, you know the trip delivered.

The thing that stuck with us most, however, was realizing that a key key perk in having this business is the awesome new friends we’re making in the process. If you've been thinking about joining us for an upcoming trip — whether you're brand new to diving or have hundreds of dives under your belt — we'd love to have you. Our June trip is sold out, but we have a waitlist. There are 3 trips on the books for spring 2027 and there is a trip to the Philippines coming together in 2027 as well. So, what are you waiting for? Come see what the fuss is about.

We think you'll want to come back too!